Sports

Track & Field: Appleton’s runner-up finish highlights final day in Eugene : Jerry Ratcliffe

Courtesy UVA Media Relations Photo: UVA Athletics The Virginia women’s track and field team closed out competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. Margot Appleton finished runner-up in the women’s 1500-meters while Celia Rifaterra and Estel Valeanu notched All-America honors in the high jump and discus throw. APPLETON […]

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1 month ago

June 16, 2025

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The Virginia women’s track and field team closed out competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. Margot Appleton finished runner-up in the women’s 1500-meters while Celia Rifaterra and Estel Valeanu notched All-America honors in the high jump and discus throw.

APPLETON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM

In her third NCAA Outdoor Championships appearance, Margot Appleton completed the 1500-meter and 5000-meter double, earning All-America honors in both events.

Appleton executed a tactical race in the women’s 1500-meters to become the NCAA runner-up clocking 4:08.99 and earned first team All-America honors.
This marks the second time in three years in which Appleton has made the podium in the women’s 1500-meters at the NCAA Outdoor meet. She finished third in the event in 2023.
Just under two hours later, Appleton toed the line in the women’s 5000-meters where she finished 13th, clocking 15:44.76.
For her performance in the 5k, the senior earned second team All-America accolades.
This marks her second consecutive year earning All-America honors in the 5000-meter event after finishing fourth a year ago.

ALL-AMERICA HONORS FOR VALEANU

In her third consecutive NCAA Outdoor Championships, Estel Valeanu earned second-team All-America accolades in the women’s discus.

On her first throw in the competition, Valeanu recorded a new personal best of 58.22m/191-0 to finish ninth in the field.
Valeanu bettered her previous best of 57.28m/187-11 and improved her Virginia No. 2 all-time mark.
She adds another All-America accolade to her resume alongside a ninth in 2024 competing for LSU and sixth in 2023 with Harvard.

RIFATERRA SETTING THE BAR
In her second NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance, Celia Rifaterra cleared 1.84m/6-0.5 to finish seventh in the high jump and earn first team All-American honors.

After earning honorable mention honors a year ago, Rifaterra notched first team All-America honors clearing 1.84m/6-0.5 for seventh place.
Rifaterra cleared the first three bars on her first attempt at each height before knocking the bar down at 1.87m/6-1.50.
Alongside Rifaterra was her teammate, Carly Tarentino in her NCAA Outdoor Championships debut. Tarentino cleared 1.74m/5-8.50 on her first attempt to finish tied for 19th place and garner honorable mention accolades.

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY RECAP

Gary Martin finished fifth in the men’s 1500-meters to earn his first career outdoor first team All-America accolades, clocking 3:47.58.
In the men’s 5000-meters, Will Daley execute a smart race to earn his first second team All-America honors, finishing 13th in 13:36.55. He moves up to No. 5 all-time in program history.
On the first day of competition, Keyandre Davis garnered second team All-America honors in the men’s hammer, throwing for 66.24m/217-4 to finish 15th in the field of 24 athletes.
On the second day of competition, Annika Kelly secured second team All-America honors in the women’s hammer, throwing for 64.87m/212-10 to finish 14th in the field.
In the semifinal, Gary Martin (3:52.97) and Margot Appleton punched their tickets to the final in the men’s and women’s 1500-meters. Both earned an automatic bid, placing in the top five finishers in their respective heats.
In their NCAA Outdoor Championships debut, Alex Sherman (50.98) and Jenny Schilling (33:07.58) notched honorable mention accolades in the men’s 400-meter hurdles and the women’s 10,000-meters. Both finished 17th in the competition.
Justin Wachtel garnered honorable mention accolades in the men’s 5000-meters.

Scoring a total of 10 points, the Virginia women finished 26th in the team standings.

2025 CAVALIER ALL-AMERICANS

First Team: Margot Appleton (1500m), Gary Martin (1500m), Celia Rifaterra (High Jump)

Second Team: Margot Appleton (5000m), Will Daley (5000m) Keyandre Davis (HT), Annika Kelly (HT), Estel Valeanu (Discus)

Honorable Mention: Alex Sherman (400mH), Jenny Schilling (10,000m), Carly Tarentino (High Jump), Justin Wachtel (5000m)

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Sports

Dept. of Education Opens Probe into Oregon over Trans Athletes

The Department of Education announced an investigation on Friday into the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) due to allegations it allows transgender-identifying males to compete in female sports, in violation of civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened the Title IX investigation after receiving a complaint from […]

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8 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

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The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened the Title IX investigation after receiving a complaint from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a nonprofit that says it seeks to “advanc[e] policies that put the American people first” with guiding principles including “liberty, free enterprise, and national greatness.”

WATCH — President Trump: Having Women Compete with Trans Athletes Is “Demeaning to Women”:

“In the last six months, the Trump Administration has made historic strides in cleaning up the countless failures of the Biden Administration, including the prior Administration’s dedication to gender ideology extremism. Oregon appears to have missed the message: The Trump Administration will not allow educational institutions that receive federal funds to continue trampling upon women’s rights,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said.

“If Oregon is permitting males to compete in women’s sports, it is allowing these males to steal the accolades and opportunities that female competitors have rightfully earned through hard work and grit, while callously disregarding women’s and girls’ safety, dignity, and privacy. Title IX does not permit that shameful arrangement, and we will not tolerate it,” Trainor added.

The AFPI filed its own lawsuit this week against the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) on behalf of two Oregon student-athletes who were allegedly punished for silently protesting a transgender-identifying male competing in girls’ sports.

“Thanks to Secretary McMahon’s leadership, this investigation is moving forward as a vital step toward restoring equal opportunity in women’s athletics,” Executive General Counsel at AFPI Jessica Hart Steinmann said. “Title IX was meant to protect girls — not to undermine them — and we’re hopeful this signals a return to that original purpose.”

READ MORE: Oregon Girls Who Protested Trans Athlete at Track Meet File Lawsuit

AFPI alleged in its complaint that ODE issue guidance specifying that schools must follow Oregon’s nondiscrimination law, which states that “schools are prohibited from excluding gender expansive students from participating in school athletics and activities that align with their…gender identity.”

WATCH — President Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Men from Women’s Sports:

The Department of Education countered in a press release that “state laws do not override federal anti-discrimination laws, and ODE and its member schools remain subject to Title IX and its implementing regulations.” Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities receiving federal funding.

AFPI’s complaint specifically alleges that several female high school athletes in Oregon have lost “medal awards, placements, and other competitive opportunities” to males and suffered “heightened stress, intimidation, and emotional distress” in anticipation of competing against them. The AFPI also alleged the ODE “chilled speech and coerced silence” from the female athletes, who were allegedly “explicitly or implicitly told by school authorities not to question or complain about the inclusion of male athletes in girls’ categories.”

AFPI’s complaint additionally alleges that OSAA, which is the state’s high school interscholastic athletic body, has policies that violate Title IX by allowing students to participate on teams based on “gender identity” rather than biological reality. The Department of Education noted that its OCR opened a Title IX investigation into OSAA in March, as well as Portland Public Schools.

The ODE did not respond to Breitbart News’s request for comment by time of publication.

Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her on X @thekat_hamilton.

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Alleghany JV Volleyball Schedule – The Virginian Review

Alleghany JV Volleyball Schedule Tuesday September 2: AHS vs Fort Defiance Home Thursday September 4: AHS vs Waynesboro 6:00 Away Tuesday September 9: Bye Week Thursday September 11: AHS vs Stuarts Draft 6:00 Home Tuesday September 16: AHS vs Rockbridge County 6:00 Away Thursday September 18: AHS vs Staunton 6:00 Home Tuesday September […]

Published

17 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Alleghany JV Volleyball Schedule

Tuesday September 2: AHS vs Fort Defiance Home

Thursday September 4: AHS vs Waynesboro 6:00 Away

Tuesday September 9: Bye Week

Thursday September 11: AHS vs Stuarts Draft 6:00 Home

Tuesday September 16: AHS vs Rockbridge County 6:00 Away

Thursday September 18: AHS vs Staunton 6:00 Home

Tuesday September 23: AHS vs Buffalo Gap 6:00 Away

Thursday September 25: AHS vs Wilson Memorial 6:00 Home

Tuesday September 30: AHS vs Riverheads 6:00 Away

Thursday October 2: AHS vs Fort Defiance 6:00 Away

Tuesday October 7: AHS vs Waynesboro 6:00 Away

Thursday October 9: Bye

Tuesday October 14: AHS vs Stuarts Draft 6:00 Away

Thursday October 16: AHS vs Rockbridge 6:00 Home

Tuesday October 21: AHS vs Staunton 6:00 Away

Thursday October 23: AHS vs Buffalo Gap 6:00 Home

Tuesday October 28: AHS vs Wilson Memorial 6:00 Away

Thursday October 30: AHS vs Riverheads 6:00 Home

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Sports

Molly Robertson Commits To Penn State Volleyball

Molly Robertson Commits To Penn State Volleyball Posted on: July 26th, 2025 by Jonathan Spina By: Jared Barton Rising junior Molly Robertson has made her college commitment official with two seasons left at North Allegheny. Robertson announced her commitment to Penn State Women’s Volleyball via Instagram Saturday afternoon. Robertson was named the Pennsylvania MaxPreps Player […]

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25 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

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Molly Robertson Commits To Penn State Volleyball

By: Jared Barton

Rising junior Molly Robertson has made her college commitment official with two seasons left at North Allegheny.

Robertson announced her commitment to Penn State Women’s Volleyball via Instagram Saturday afternoon.

Robertson was named the Pennsylvania MaxPreps Player of the Year back in December of 2024. She led the Tigers with 391 kills and finished second on the team in digs with 250. She was the key offensive contributor on a team that went 21-1, winning the section title, WPIAL championship and PIAA Championship. The Tigers have won the state title now eight years in a row, with Robertson being a mainstay for the last two runs.

Robertson was recently named the 2024 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette along with being named to the PG All-Area Team. Additionally, she was a first-team all-section player, named first-team All-WPIAL and first-team All-Big 56.

The junior becomes the fourth recruit to Penn State’s 2027 class, joining Nejari Crooks, Taylor Harrington and Olivia Henry. Last season, the Nittany Lions went 35-2, including a 19-1 Big 10 record en route to a share of the conference title as well as a National Championship victory over Louisville.

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Volleyball Releases 2025 Promotional Schedule

Story Links ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland Volleyball announces its promotional schedule for the upcoming 2025 season. The Golden Grizzlies will host 14 matches, including three neutral site tournament matches, in the OUCU O’rena this year, with many exciting theme nights and promotions. Promotional highlights include: Club Day, 9/13 vs. Eastern […]

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41 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

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ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland Volleyball announces its promotional schedule for the upcoming 2025 season. The Golden Grizzlies will host 14 matches, including three neutral site tournament matches, in the OUCU O’rena this year, with many exciting theme nights and promotions. Promotional highlights include:

Club Day, 9/13 vs. Eastern Michigan

2000’s Night, 10/10 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne

Volleyween, 10/31 vs. Youngstown State

Tickets for the 2025 season will be on sale soon, for further ticket information about Oakland Volleyball home events, click HERE.

AUGUST

Friday, August 22 vs. Black & Gold Scrimmage – 6:00 PM

Kick off the season with our annual intrasquad scrimmage. This free event gives fans a first look at this year’s team.

Saturday, August 23 vs. Ferris State – 2:00 PM

Join us for a non-conference matchup with Ferris State. Admission is free for all fans.

SEPTEMBER

Friday, September 12 vs. Southern Illinois – 10:00 AM

Come support the team during this special morning match.

Friday, September 12 – Xavier vs. Eastern Michigan – 12:00 PM

Neutral site matchup as part of our weekend tournament action.

Friday, September 12 – Eastern Michigan vs. Southern Illinois – 4:00 PM

Another exciting tournament match featuring regional opponents.

Friday, September 12 vs. Xavier – 6:00 PM – Scavenger Hunt Night

Join us for an interactive scavenger hunt on campus pre-game.

Saturday, September 13 – Southern Illinois vs. Xavier – 12:00 PM

Final neutral site tournament match of the weekend.

Saturday, September 13 vs. Eastern Michigan – 3:00 PM – Club Day

All local youth volleyball club teams are invited to attend with free admission for players and coaches. Come enjoy high-level volleyball and a great team outing.

Tuesday, September 30 vs. Cleveland State – 6:00 PM – Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night

We’re celebrating OU faculty and staff. All OU employees receive free admission with ID as we recognize their dedication and support.

OCTOBER

Friday, October 10 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne – 6:00 PM – 2000s Night

Throw it back to the 2000s with themed music, decade-inspired games, and a nostalgic atmosphere inside the OU Credit Union O’rena. Dress in your best early-2000s fashion and relive the hits, trends, and energy of the new millennium throughout the night.

Saturday, October 11 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne – 2:00 PM – Kids & Camper Day

All campers and kids 12 and under receive free admission.

Friday, October 17 vs. Green Bay – 6:00 PM – Breast Cancer Awareness Night

We honor breast cancer survivors, thrivers, and all who are part of the fight. Free admission for all survivors, thrivers, and participants in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Saturday, October 18 vs. Green Bay – 2:00 PM – Leukemia Awareness Day

Join us in raising awareness for leukemia research and support. Special recognitions and educational resources will be available at the match.

Friday, October 31 vs. Youngstown State – 6:00 PM – Volleyween

Our annual Halloween match. Fans in costume receive free admission. Come early for festive music, themed games, and candy giveaways.

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 1 vs. Youngstown State – 2:00 PM

Continue the weekend series with another key Horizon League matchup.

Friday, November 7 vs. Northern Kentucky – 6:00 PM – Alumni Night

We welcome all Volleyball alumni back to the OU Credit Union O’rena. Free admission for all alumni.

Saturday, November 8 vs. Northern Kentucky – 2:00 PM – Senior Day

Join us as we honor our graduating seniors in a special post-game ceremony. Help us celebrate their contributions and close out the regular season with a strong home crowd. Additionally, we welcome all Volleyball alumni back to the OU Credit Union O’rena. Free admission for all alumni.

How to Follow Oakland Volleyball: For complete information on Oakland Volleyball, follow the team on X at @OaklandWVB and head coach Krista Rice at @KKg1007. The team is also on Instagram.

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Franklin Regional welcomes new girls volleyball coach

By: Bill Beckner Jr. Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10:47 AM Erin Salas has been named the girls volleyball coach at Franklin Regional ahead of the 2025 season. Girls volleyball season is fast approaching and Erin Salas is preparing to lead a different team this fall. Salas coached Greensburg Central Catholic for three seasons and […]

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1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Bill Beckner Jr.

Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10:47 AM

8707769_web1_MS-ErinSalas-073125 — Erin Salas has been named the girls volleyball coach at Franklin Regional ahead of the 2025 season.

Girls volleyball season is fast approaching and Erin Salas is preparing to lead a different team this fall.

Salas coached Greensburg Central Catholic for three seasons and had a successful run with a WPIAL and PIAA championship in 2024. But she left the program and is now the head coach at Franklin Regional.

Teams can begin official practice Aug. 11 and the WPIAL season opens Aug. 22. Salas lives in Murrysville, so the Franklin Regional campus will be closer than GCC.

She hopes it feels like home.

“It is close, it is the school district I live in, and my children attend the school,” she said. “When the opportunity came up in November, I decided to apply.”

Salas is also the middle school softball coach at Franklin Regional, so she has familiarity with the program.

She coached the GCC middle school girls volleyball team for 10 years (2014-24), then was a varsity assistant for one season before becoming head coach.

Salas, 40, said it was time to begin a new chapter. She is a GCC alum who played volleyball, basketball and softball. She went on to play softball and basketball at Saint Vincent.

“It was a very difficult decision to leave GCC, but it felt like it was time,” Salas said. “With the senior class graduating and my own daughter entering high school this past year, who I wasn’t able to see play volleyball very much. I felt it was the right time for a change.”

Salas replaces Rachel Carter, who resigned at Franklin Regional and is ready to welcome her first child.

GCC hired Jenna Yezavich, who was Salas’ assistant.

“I will always be grateful to the GCC administration, players, families and Jenna Yezavich for the opportunity to coach at the high school level and the amazing years while there,” Salas said. “I learned so much coaching there and I am so thankful I got the opportunity.

“Winning (the) WPIAL was always the goal for myself and the girls for the last four years. Continuing on, watching the team jell the way they did during playoffs and winning states was an amazing experience and something I will never forget.”

As far as what Salas plans to bring to her new program, which is a bump-up from Class A to 3A, she is learning to work with a larger crop of girls.

“I am bringing in a new set of eyes and a different view on serve-receive and defense,” she said. “There are a lot of talented girls who are willing to work hard. We have been working all summer on serve-receive and spot servicing to get ready for the 2025 season.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional

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APSU Beach Volleyball Earns Sixth-Straight AVCA Team Academic Award – Clarksville Online

Lexington, KY – For the sixth-straight year, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) beach volleyball program earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Awards, announced by the AVCA earlier this week. The Governors posted at least a 3.8 grade-point average across both the fall and spring semesters of the 2024-25 academic year, with a […]

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1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Lexington, KY – For the sixth-straight year, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) beach volleyball program earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Awards, announced by the AVCA earlier this week.

The Governors posted at least a 3.8 grade-point average across both the fall and spring semesters of the 2024-25 academic year, with a 3.8 GPA in the fall and a 3.84 in the spring.

Additionally, APSU had 12 student-athletes selected to the dean’s list and another four who earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll last year. The program also has posted at least a 3.0 GPA for 17-straight semesters and had all 10 of its student-athletes post at least a 3.0 GPA during the previous academic year.

“It is very exciting to see that the record-setting, on-court successes during the 2024-25 season have extended to the classroom,” said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. “The fact that more programs earned the Team Academic Award than ever before is evidence of how committed our coaches are when it comes to helping their players reach their goals as both students and athletes.”

Austin Peay State University’s beach volleyball team was among 1,450 collegiate and high school teams which maintained a year-long GPA of at least 3.3 to earn the honor. The Governors were one of 40 Division I beach volleyball programs to earn the award.

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